SERMON Toorak UCA Don Ikitoelagi 29 March 2009 “The New Covenant” “The hour has come that the son of man be glorified”

Jeremiah 31: “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 31 “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 31 “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to [a] them, [b]” declares the LORD. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to [a] them, [b]” declares the LORD.abab

John 12: Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

John 12: “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

New Covenant “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

New Covenant Wiping the plate clean. Wiping the plate clean. Start afresh Start afresh A covenant, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action. A covenant, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action. More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenanter is the only party bound by the promise. More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenanter is the only party bound by the promise. contract A covenant may have conditions and prerequisites that qualify the undertaking, including the actions of second or third parties, but there is no inherent agreement by such other parties to fulfill those requirements. Consequentially, the only party that can break a covenant is the covenanter. A covenant may have conditions and prerequisites that qualify the undertaking, including the actions of second or third parties, but there is no inherent agreement by such other parties to fulfill those requirements. Consequentially, the only party that can break a covenant is the covenanter.

Cont.. In certain religions, a covenant is a formal alliance or agreement made by God with that religious community or with humanity in general. This sort of covenant is an important concept in Judaism and Christianity, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition. An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abraham that He would bless Abraham's descendants making them more numerous than the stars. In certain religions, a covenant is a formal alliance or agreement made by God with that religious community or with humanity in general. This sort of covenant is an important concept in Judaism and Christianity, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition. An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abraham that He would bless Abraham's descendants making them more numerous than the stars. allianceGod JudaismChristianitybiblical covenantJudaismChristianityAbraham allianceGod JudaismChristianitybiblical covenantJudaismChristianityAbraham

Cont.. Also Job made a covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1).[1] Christianity asserts that God made an additional covenant through Jesus Christ, called the “new covenant”, in which Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would atone for the sins of all who put their faith in him (Matthew 26:28). In Islam God reminds all humanity of their covenants with him.[2] Also Job made a covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1).[1] Christianity asserts that God made an additional covenant through Jesus Christ, called the “new covenant”, in which Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would atone for the sins of all who put their faith in him (Matthew 26:28). In Islam God reminds all humanity of their covenants with him.[2][1]new covenantIslam[2][1]new covenantIslam[2] A covenant may also refer to an agreement between members of a congregation to work together according to the precepts of their religion A covenant may also refer to an agreement between members of a congregation to work together according to the precepts of their religion

Covenant Covenant in contrast to a contract is clearly based on an unconditional love concept. Covenant in contrast to a contract is clearly based on an unconditional love concept. That my action to do something is what I believe and trust is of God’s will. That my action to do something is what I believe and trust is of God’s will. That I am not doing it to satisfy an agreement (Contract) That I am not doing it to satisfy an agreement (Contract) Contract is a legal agreement between two or more parties. Where there is clearly an offer, as well as there is an acceptance of this offer. Contract is a legal agreement between two or more parties. Where there is clearly an offer, as well as there is an acceptance of this offer. Both parties are then bound to satisfy the terms that both agree to in the execution of the said contract. Both parties are then bound to satisfy the terms that both agree to in the execution of the said contract.

Both sets out criteria of the RELATIONSHIP Covenant Covenant Where the parties involve offer an outpour of love in what they will do toencourage good relationship Where the parties involve offer an outpour of love in what they will do toencourage good relationship Contract Contract On the other hand form special relationships that they are legally bound to in terms of their agreement. On the other hand form special relationships that they are legally bound to in terms of their agreement.

Gods will “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Human response That we will honour God, respond to his teaching in Christ Jesus, obey his basic principal of “LOVE” That we will honour God, respond to his teaching in Christ Jesus, obey his basic principal of “LOVE” Love our neighbour Love our neighbour LOVE GOD! LOVE GOD!

God offer a second chance “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Forgive and forgets… Forgive and forgets… Again this is in the understanding of covenant – where obviously there is a willingness of God to heal and transform someone into a new “born again” state. Again this is in the understanding of covenant – where obviously there is a willingness of God to heal and transform someone into a new “born again” state.

What may be asked of us That we respond by our OBEDIENCE to the LAW of God That we respond by our OBEDIENCE to the LAW of God LOVE GOD AND NEIGHBOUR. LOVE GOD AND NEIGHBOUR. This according to the prophet Jeremiah is a condition in that God has placed in our heart…. And that is his laws. This according to the prophet Jeremiah is a condition in that God has placed in our heart…. And that is his laws.

Further outflow of God’s covenantal relationship. For God so love the world that he gave his begotten son Jesus who died on the cross in order for us to enjoy everlasting life. For God so love the world that he gave his begotten son Jesus who died on the cross in order for us to enjoy everlasting life. OUR RESPONSE? OUR RESPONSE? To obey seem difficult with us. To obey seem difficult with us. We don’t wish to be told what to do in this relationship, yet our whole lives we are controlled and dictated by general and moral principals of life. We don’t wish to be told what to do in this relationship, yet our whole lives we are controlled and dictated by general and moral principals of life.

UCA a multicultural CHURCH What does this mean? What does this mean? Inclusion of the other Inclusion of the other Open embrace of the stranger Open embrace of the stranger Share what we have Share what we have Encourage and empower Encourage and empower Assist in the transition to living in Australia. Assist in the transition to living in Australia. BUT….. BUT….. Should they learn to behave like us? Should they learn to behave like us? Should they show appreciation by adopting our ways and discarding theirs as archaic? Should they show appreciation by adopting our ways and discarding theirs as archaic? Should they learn to assimilate to our systems and our worldview? Should they learn to assimilate to our systems and our worldview?

The work of the Synod in realising the vision of this multicultural church CROSS CULTURAL MISSION AND MINISTRY CROSS CULTURAL MISSION AND MINISTRY Encourage all aspects of the synod Presbytery and local congregations to take collective responsibilities in reaching out to other offering a covenant relationship. Encourage all aspects of the synod Presbytery and local congregations to take collective responsibilities in reaching out to other offering a covenant relationship. Offer and await for the other parties response Offer and await for the other parties response Be prepared to listen and change our thinking and our ways. Be prepared to listen and change our thinking and our ways.

32 “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” 32 “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” As was the bronze serpent lifted up for the salvation of the children of Israel. As was the bronze serpent lifted up for the salvation of the children of Israel. Jesus spoke of his struggle Jesus spoke of his struggle His hidden thoughts about asking to be taken from the path and responsibility in death His hidden thoughts about asking to be taken from the path and responsibility in death

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Jesus cannot allow his own thoughts and sentiments distract him from this act of sacrifice. Jesus cannot allow his own thoughts and sentiments distract him from this act of sacrifice. God must be glorified. God must be glorified. His birth, his life and death all point to his dedication to the father and desire to Glorify God. His birth, his life and death all point to his dedication to the father and desire to Glorify God. His healing was to glorify God His healing was to glorify God His teaching ministries were also geared to the glorification of God being and God’s name. His teaching ministries were also geared to the glorification of God being and God’s name.

The stage is set Our covenant with God is to obey, to be faithful and to open our lives to his love. Our covenant with God is to obey, to be faithful and to open our lives to his love. We are also called to embrace each other with an unconditional love principals We are also called to embrace each other with an unconditional love principals So rather than say, be like me in being Australia, how about learning of each others ways in order for natural integration to take place? So rather than say, be like me in being Australia, how about learning of each others ways in order for natural integration to take place?

The love of God Jesus is the love of God Jesus is the love of God He came to make us whole He came to make us whole He sacrificed as he accepted death He sacrificed as he accepted death We need to set our own part of the covenant We need to set our own part of the covenant Learn to live in harmony, live in love Learn to live in harmony, live in love Learn to be honest, be kind, be accepting of others and of new ways. Learn to be honest, be kind, be accepting of others and of new ways.

AMEN